Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-06-10
william A, Wheeler,

The death of ex-Vice President Wheeler
removes from earth one already removed
from public notice, for years past, by the
seclusion consequent upon prolonged i'll
health but who was in his day man of
mark and influence in his State; and of
high national reputation. Mr.. Wheeler
was man of singularly high and pure
character, and of large ability. The
sketch of his life. in another column,
shows how numerous and varied were
the trusts he held, and in all of them he
bore himself without reproach. AS
lawyer he was the equal of most of the
judges before whom he practiced. In
business life as banker and railroad man
ager he WINS sound, able and highly sue
cessful. Az n legislator he was seeing,
wise and thoroughly patriotic. A
strong opponent OF human slav-
cry for years before the war;
he naturally became one of the pioneers,
~ he continued TO be one OF the tlrmest
supporters OF the republican party. He
VIVA n clear and forcible public speaker,
having the art to present his subjects and
make his points with convincing effect,
while keeping his own personality in the
bnck ground. As all know, who ever saw
him In the chair of the United States Sen
ate or of the New York constitutional
convention, he was an admirable presid-
ing Office, firm, courteous, clear-headed
and one from whose parliamentary de
cisions appeal was rare. 1t was the for
tune of the writer of this, to watch him
as he guided the deliberations of the con-
siitutional convention of 1867 1t was one
of the most important of such conven-
tons ever held in the Empire State, a
body of very able men, which made great
changes in the organic law of the State,
and in which debate was often excit-
ing and at times stormy. The occa-
sion called out his latent power. His
opening address with its eloquent adj
vocacy of the extension of the suffrage to
the colored citizens, has been preserved
and repeated by thousands; and through
out the convention he exhibited a degree
of ability, dignity and power of control
which surprised even his intimate friends,
and was remembered by every spectator.
Mr.. Wheeler's influence in politics, in
legislation, and in private life, was always
felt for good. His connection with one of
the cleanest and best administrations
that the Republican party gave to the
country was an honorable and inluen-
tial one and he retired from the second
place in the gift of the American people,
with the esteem and respect of all who
had been associated with him, and of the
people at large.
In private life and among his friends be-
fore disease had weakened body and mind
he was genial, kindly and companionable.
He was sincere Christian and made his
influence constantly felt as such. He was
open-handed in his gift, to good objects
and after he had ceased to move among
his townsmen in their usual haunts, his
presence was made known TO the public
and to the poor by frequent and generous
benefactions. He will be widely mourned
but most deeply by the people of the
community in which he had his home
and who knew him best
Mr.. Wheeler received the degree OF
LII. ID. from the University of Vermont
in 1869, and though he did not finish his
course in college he always had the spirit
and interest in the institution, of true
son of the University.